Vibecode Bear Pro
track this build5 steps, step by step0%The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Bear Pro, write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks and sync them across Apple devices. The hard boundary is native apple polish, encrypted icloud sync, mobile capture, and typography, plus sync, collaboration, and capture polish.
You are building a lean indie version of Bear Pro. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Bear Pro indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Bear Pro workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - native Apple polish, encrypted iCloud sync, mobile capture, and typography - frictionless mobile capture - real-time team editing - hosted publishing - proprietary AI memory If those capabilities are essential, use AppFlowy instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build a personal replacement for Bear Pro in an empty repository. Use Tauri 2, React, TypeScript, SQLite, and Markdown files as the source of truth; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Store one Markdown file per note and a small SQLite index that can be rebuilt at any time. Support wiki links, tags, backlinks, daily notes, pinned notes, and full-text search. Add a fast command palette and keyboard-first create, rename, move, and link actions. Render Markdown with task lists, code blocks, tables, and local image attachments. Detect external file changes and show a safe conflict-resolution view. Provide full-folder export, import, and an index-rebuild command. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out proprietary sync servers. Deliberately leave out real-time multiplayer documents. Deliberately leave out a plugin marketplace and hosted public sites. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Required capabilities - macOS, Windows, or Linux - local folder access - optional sync folder chosen by the user ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a lean indie version of Bear Pro. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Bear Pro indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Bear Pro workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - native Apple polish, encrypted iCloud sync, mobile capture, and typography - frictionless mobile capture - real-time team editing - hosted publishing - proprietary AI memory If those capabilities are essential, use AppFlowy instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build a personal replacement for Bear Pro in an empty repository. Use Tauri 2, React, TypeScript, SQLite, and Markdown files as the source of truth; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Store one Markdown file per note and a small SQLite index that can be rebuilt at any time. Support wiki links, tags, backlinks, daily notes, pinned notes, and full-text search. Add a fast command palette and keyboard-first create, rename, move, and link actions. Render Markdown with task lists, code blocks, tables, and local image attachments. Detect external file changes and show a safe conflict-resolution view. Provide full-folder export, import, and an index-rebuild command. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out proprietary sync servers. Deliberately leave out real-time multiplayer documents. Deliberately leave out a plugin marketplace and hosted public sites. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Required capabilities - macOS, Windows, or Linux - local folder access - optional sync folder chosen by the user ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a production product version of Bear Pro. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== PRODUCT.md ===== # Bear Pro product brief ## Problem The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Bear Pro, write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks and sync them across Apple devices. The hard boundary is native apple polish, encrypted icloud sync, mobile capture, and typography, plus sync, collaboration, and capture polish. ## Product outcome Write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - macOS, Windows, or Linux - local folder access - optional sync folder chosen by the user ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - native Apple polish, encrypted iCloud sync, mobile capture, and typography - frictionless mobile capture - real-time team editing - hosted publishing - proprietary AI memory ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees. ===== ARCHITECTURE.md ===== # Architecture ## Starting brief Build a personal replacement for Bear Pro in an empty repository. Use Tauri 2, React, TypeScript, SQLite, and Markdown files as the source of truth; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Store one Markdown file per note and a small SQLite index that can be rebuilt at any time. Support wiki links, tags, backlinks, daily notes, pinned notes, and full-text search. Add a fast command palette and keyboard-first create, rename, move, and link actions. Render Markdown with task lists, code blocks, tables, and local image attachments. Detect external file changes and show a safe conflict-resolution view. Provide full-folder export, import, and an index-rebuild command. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out proprietary sync servers. Deliberately leave out real-time multiplayer documents. Deliberately leave out a plugin marketplace and hosted public sites. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone. ===== MILESTONES.md ===== # Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations. ===== OPERATIONS.md ===== # Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Bear Pro capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
# Bear Pro indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Bear Pro workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - native Apple polish, encrypted iCloud sync, mobile capture, and typography - frictionless mobile capture - real-time team editing - hosted publishing - proprietary AI memory If those capabilities are essential, use AppFlowy instead of pretending the gap is solved.
# Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs".
# Build plan ## Original build brief Build a personal replacement for Bear Pro in an empty repository. Use Tauri 2, React, TypeScript, SQLite, and Markdown files as the source of truth; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Store one Markdown file per note and a small SQLite index that can be rebuilt at any time. Support wiki links, tags, backlinks, daily notes, pinned notes, and full-text search. Add a fast command palette and keyboard-first create, rename, move, and link actions. Render Markdown with task lists, code blocks, tables, and local image attachments. Detect external file changes and show a safe conflict-resolution view. Provide full-folder export, import, and an index-rebuild command. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out proprietary sync servers. Deliberately leave out real-time multiplayer documents. Deliberately leave out a plugin marketplace and hosted public sites. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Required capabilities - macOS, Windows, or Linux - local folder access - optional sync folder chosen by the user ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden.
# Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
# Bear Pro product brief ## Problem The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Bear Pro, write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks and sync them across Apple devices. The hard boundary is native apple polish, encrypted icloud sync, mobile capture, and typography, plus sync, collaboration, and capture polish. ## Product outcome Write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - macOS, Windows, or Linux - local folder access - optional sync folder chosen by the user ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - native Apple polish, encrypted iCloud sync, mobile capture, and typography - frictionless mobile capture - real-time team editing - hosted publishing - proprietary AI memory ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees.
# Architecture ## Starting brief Build a personal replacement for Bear Pro in an empty repository. Use Tauri 2, React, TypeScript, SQLite, and Markdown files as the source of truth; do not offer alternative stacks. The core loop is: write tagged Markdown notes with backlinks, search them instantly, sync across Apple devices, and export a normal Markdown folder. Make the first run work locally with one documented command. Store all user data locally by default and make export straightforward. Put secrets in .env, ship .env.example, and never commit credentials. Store one Markdown file per note and a small SQLite index that can be rebuilt at any time. Support wiki links, tags, backlinks, daily notes, pinned notes, and full-text search. Add a fast command palette and keyboard-first create, rename, move, and link actions. Render Markdown with task lists, code blocks, tables, and local image attachments. Detect external file changes and show a safe conflict-resolution view. Provide full-folder export, import, and an index-rebuild command. Include clear empty, loading, success, and recoverable error states. Add input validation, safe filenames, and graceful handling of unavailable APIs. Write focused tests for the core transformation and one end-to-end happy path. Create a README with setup, architecture, permissions, data location, and backup steps. Do not add accounts, billing, telemetry, analytics, or a hosted control plane. Deliberately leave out proprietary sync servers. Deliberately leave out real-time multiplayer documents. Deliberately leave out a plugin marketplace and hosted public sites. Finish by running the tests and listing the exact commands used. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it.
# Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone.
# Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations.
# Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Bear Pro capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
$ choose a build depth, inspect the files, then open the complete pack in your agent · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
People still pay for Bear Pro because people keep paying when the note system is trusted across every device and disappears into their daily capture habits. The recurring cost buys file watching, conflict handling, indexing, mobile apps, encryption, backups, and migrations, not just the visible interface.
xnative Apple polish, encrypted iCloud sync, mobile capture, and typography
xfrictionless mobile capture
xreal-time team editing
xhosted publishing
xproprietary AI memory
Don't feel like building it? These folks already made it free.
all 3 free alternatives to Bear Pro →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Bear Pro pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/user | $0/user | Core local note-taking and free TXT, Markdown, TextBundle, Bear Note and RTF exports; no numeric note/storage cap published; 0 native cross-device sync |
| bear pro | $2.99/user | $2.50/user | 1 subscription covers all devices on the same Apple ID; iCloud sync, encryption, OCR attachment search and advanced export |
free tierFree core app; no numeric note or storage cap is published; native cross-device sync requires Pro
billingmonthly + annual; both include a 7-day trial and auto-renew through Apple
hidden costsPrices, taxes and refunds are controlled by Apple's storefront. Students and scholars can receive 30% off the first annual year, then renew at full price. Legacy subscribers keep the old price only while subscription continuity is maintained.
price historyBear Pro monthly: $1.49 → $2.99 (2023-07) · Bear Pro annual total: $14.99 → $29.99 (2023-07)
verified 2026-08-13 · source ↗
Vibecode Bear Pro
Yes. A competent AI coding agent (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) can build a usable personal Bear Pro replacement in one session with the prompt on this page. It runs on your own machine or server with no subscription.
How much does Bear Pro cost?
Bear Pro costs about $2.99/month (Pro, checked 2026-07-31), which is $35.88 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with one prompt.
What do I lose by replacing Bear Pro?
Honestly: native Apple polish, encrypted iCloud sync, mobile capture, and typography; frictionless mobile capture; real-time team editing; hosted publishing; proprietary AI memory. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Bear Pro?
Yes: Joplin (Tagged Markdown notes with real sync choices and rather less Apple polish.) FSNotes (Bear's tagged Markdown heart, minus the house style and subscription.) Obsidian (Local Markdown, backlinks and a plugin bazaar; sync is still your problem.) All 3 curated free alternatives are at vibecodeit.com/bear-pro/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.